A Guide To Home Inspections

When purchasing a home, one important aspect of the process is the home inspection. A professional home inspection helps to confirm the condition of the property and prepare the buyer for the types of maintenance needs that naturally come with home ownership.
Keep in mind that all properties, whether new or old will have maintenance needs. The inspector's job is to tell you as much as they can about the house. It's okay that the house is not perfect -none of them are. Don't mistakenly think that the inspection is a tool to renegotiate the contract. Specific language in the contract should spell out the seller's responsibility if defects are found in the property. However, cosmetic issues and minor maintenance needs are usually not covered.

Should the home inspection reveal defects that need to be addressed, your REALTOR® will help you present your request to the seller. A bit of negotiation may be necessary to resolve questionable issues. Keep in mind that your goal is to buy the house. Be careful not to get sidetracked by minor inspection issues that could become major stumbling blocks to closing the transaction.

Choose your home inspector wisely. We suggest you use an inspector who agrees in writing to follow the standards of practice of the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI). Here are a few questions to ask when selecting an inspector: 1) How long have you been in business locally? 2) How many inspections have you performed? 3) What kind of training have you had? 4) Do you carry professional liability insurance? 5) May I see a sample report? 6) Are you available for telephone consultations after the inspection?

For more information and help in selecting a qualified home inspector contact your REALTOR®.